The Hobart City Council will hold a public meeting next month to discuss controversial plans for bike lanes on both sides of Collins Street.
It comes after the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business gathered more than 1,000 signatures from concerned residents and local businesspeople in recent weeks.
Confederation Chair Edwin Johnstone said the meeting is a stepping stone toward forcing an elector poll on the issue.
“There would be no need for this public meeting and then an elector poll if the council genuinely listened, did the right thing and abandoned their flawed bike lane proposal,” he said.
“The dual Collins Street bike lanes have been imposed by the Hobart City Council without proper consultation with shop-owners and traders on the street.”
The meeting is scheduled for March 25 at 5:30pm, with the venue to be confirmed between Town Hall and City Hall.
“A final decision on the venue will be made by the Chief Executive Officer based on the number of ticket registrations and relevant venue capacity,” a council spokesperson said.
According to council documents, the meeting is expected to cost ratepayers approximately $10,000, while a potential elector poll could add a further $200,000 to the bill.
People can register for free tickets and make public submissions from Monday.
